The Case against Israel 1 UST Listen,{ everyone,} because Yahweh has something to say,“{ Micah,} stand up and present{ my} case, and let the mountains and the hills be witnesses to what you say.” BSB BSB: Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.
2 UST { It as though} the mountains and the enduring foundations of the earth are listening as Yahweh contends{ against his people}. Indeed, Yahweh is bringing charges against his people; he is about to argue his case against Israel. BSB BSB: Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:
3 UST { Yahweh says,}“My people, you act as though I have harmed you! You treat me as though I have made things difficult for you! If you can accuse me of anything, then do it now! BSB BSB: ‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!
4 UST Instead of doing bad things, I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, rescuing them from the place where they had lived as slaves. I sent Moses to lead them, along with{ his older brother} Aaron and{ his older sister} Miriam. BSB BSB: For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam.
5 UST My people, remember when Balak, the king of Moab, wanted to conspire with Balaam son of Beor{ to curse your ancestors}, and think about how Balaam answered him. Remember what happened{ as your ancestors traveled} from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may recognize that{ I,} Yahweh, have always done the right things for you.” BSB BSB: My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
6 UST { An Israelite asks,}“What should I bring when I come to Yahweh, the God who lives in the highest{ heaven}, and bow down before him? Should I bring offerings to burn; should I bring one-year-old calves{ as sacrifices}? BSB BSB: With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
7 UST Will Yahweh accept thousands of rams or vast quantities of olive oil? Should I sacrifice my firstborn child to pay for my sin? Can a sacrifice from my physical body compensate for my spiritual sin?” BSB BSB: Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
The Punishment of Israel 9 UST Yahweh is calling out a message to the people of the city{ of Jerusalem}.(Truly wise people revere you, Yahweh.) Listen carefully, you tribe{ of Israel} and all{ leaders} that Yahweh has appointed! BSB BSB: The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.
10 UST “It disgusts me that wicked people still have wealth in their houses that they got by cheating others, and that they use measures that are smaller than they should be. This is something that I have cursed. BSB BSB: Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed?
11 UST No one is innocent who uses dishonest scales or a bag of deceptive weights. BSB BSB: Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?
12 UST The rich people in this city always act violently to others. All of the people who live here tell lies. Yes, they always speak deceitfully. BSB BSB: For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.
13 UST For my part, I will attack you severely. I will ruin you because of your sins. BSB BSB: Therefore I am striking you severely, to ruin you because of your sins.
14 UST As for you, you will eat{ food}, but it will not satisfy you because it will rush right through you. You will try to save{ people}, but you will not be able to rescue{ anyone} and even if you do rescue a few, I will allow enemies to kill them. BSB BSB: You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give to the sword.
15 UST As for you, you will plant crops, but you will not harvest them. As for you, you will press olives, but you will not get to use the olive oil. Yes, also with the wine— you will crush grapes, but you will not get to drink any of it. BSB BSB: You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.
16 UST These things will happen because you follow the{ wicked} laws that King Omri established and do all of the{ evil} things that King Ahab and his descendants practiced. You have lived according to what they advised, so I will destroy your city and cause people of other nations to scorn everyone who lives there. Other peoples will detest you, because that is what my people deserve.” BSB BSB: You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”